Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced on March 16 that applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program have exceeded 200,000 students, reaching a significant milestone for the state’s new school choice initiative.
The TEFA program allows families to apply for funding to support their children’s education in the 2026–27 school year. The application deadline is set for March 17 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Parents are not required to select a specific school when submitting an application and will have until July 15 to confirm their final choices.
More than 2,200 schools have registered to participate in the program so far, with additional schools and educational service providers continuing to sign up. Since applications opened on February 4, there has been strong interest from families across Texas seeking more options and flexibility in education.
“Crossing the 200,000-student mark shows just how strongly Texas families are responding to the opportunity for more educational freedom,” Hancock said. “Our team has worked to stand up a program that is transparent, accountable and focused on student success. As we head into the final hours before the deadline, I encourage any family still considering TEFA to take a few minutes to complete an application. This program gives parents more tools to support their child’s future, and we want every eligible student to have the chance to benefit.”
The Texas Legislature created TEFA in 2025 with $1 billion in funding and tasked the Comptroller’s office with administering it. The initiative allows state education funds to follow individual students and be used for approved expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, instructional materials, and other services. If applications exceed available first-year funding, priority will be given by law to students with disabilities as well as low- and middle-income families.
After the application window closes, submissions will be reviewed by the Comptroller’s office according to state law requirements. Families can expect award notifications beginning in April and must finalize their selections by mid-July. The process does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis; all applicants who submit before the deadline will receive equal consideration.
